Wedge Plate Porous Features for Bone Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteotomy surgical methods face challenges in promoting effective bone growth and alignment across bone sections post-surgery, as existing wedge plates lack features to enhance bone fusion and stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of wedge plates with specific bone contact sections, wedge sections, and features such as channels or holes designed to promote bone growth, which can be filled with bone growth stimulants, to support and align bone sections during osteotomy procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wedge plates are used without bone growth promotion features, then the device complexity is low, but the bone growth and fusion effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge plate incorporates a porous structure with interconnected pores that allow bone ingrowth and vascularization. The porous material provides a scaffold for bone cells to migrate and deposit new bone tissue, significantly enhancing bone growth promotion while maintaining structural integrity of the plate
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge plate features localized bone growth promotion zones with different surface characteristics. The plate has regions with enhanced porosity, roughened surfaces, or coating applications specifically at bone contact areas, while other structural regions maintain smooth surfaces for structural strength, thus improving bone growth without unnecessarily increasing overall complexity
2Reliability
If wedge plates with bone growth stimulants are used, then the bone fusion effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Bone growth stimulants such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), growth factors, or osteoinductive agents are pre-loaded into the porous structure or applied to the plate surface during manufacturing. This preliminary incorporation ensures immediate availability of growth factors when the plate is implanted, eliminating the need for separate application steps and simplifying the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge plate is constructed as a composite structure combining a biocompatible metal or polymer base material with bone growth stimulant agents. The composite design allows the structural material to provide mechanical strength while the embedded biological agents promote bone fusion, achieving both functions in a single manufactured component
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wedge section is designed to fit tightly within the bone wedge, then the alignment stability is improved, but the ease of insertion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge plate incorporates a progressive engagement mechanism where initial insertion is facilitated by a tapered leading edge or flexible section that allows easy entry into the bone wedge. Once inserted, the plate engages locking features or expands to provide tight fit and stable alignment, thus transitioning from easy insertion to stable fixation
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of wedge plates configured to promote bone growth are disclosed. Generally, a wedge plate comprises a first bone contact section, a second bone contact section, and a wedge section located between the first bone contact section and the second bone contact section. The wedge section is sized and configured to be received within a wedge formed in a bone. The wedge section comprises at least one feature configured to promote bone growth. A bone growth stimulant may be located within the at least one feature.